Former German intelligence chief detained on suspicion of espionage

In Germany detained the former head of the Federal intelligence service (BND) August Hanning. He is suspected of treason and espionage, Bild and Tagesschau reported. In the case is another high-ranking employee of the BND — Manfred D. He headed the apparatus of August Hanning and is suspected of aiding the attempted treason and espionage.

According to investigators, after leaving the post of head of the special service in 2005, August Hanning continued to receive secret BND documents from Manfred D. They included information about the Iranian nuclear program and the Russian army. Investigators are now investigating the possibility that Mr. Hanning once used the information to prepare analytical material for foreign intelligence. In another case, he could use the data when communicating with a foreign agent.

August Hanning headed the BND from 1998 to 2005.Manfred D. remained an intelligence officer until spring 2026. Bild writes that they came out during the investigation of the kidnapping of the children of businesswoman Christina Block. During searches in the house and offices, Mr. Hanning was found electronic media with BND documents. The seized materials were handed over to the federal authorities, and in May this year the German Prosecutor General’s Office began investigating the leak.